Raj Arjun: Naseeruddin Shah is a legend and I said yes to a film only because he was in it

Raj Arjun who is garnering praises for his series

Sabka Sai

, recently received an award for The Minituarist of Junagadh in the featurette film category in Toronto, at one of the largest South Asian Film Festivals in North America.

His show where is playing the titular role of Sai Baba, is being appreciated by audiences. The actor says, “It feels really great when your work gets recognition. It also adds on a responsibility of doing great work continuously and living up to the expectations of the audience in near future."

Talking about his rapport with Naseeruddin Shah, he reveals, “Naseeruddin Sahab is a legend of cinema and it's a pleasure of observing and watching him. The most important reason of saying yes to The Minituarist of Junagarh was

Naseeruddin Sahab

. I felt that since he had said yes to a film then that must be a sensible one. I was just observing him like a painting to see how he works on minute details and how he develops his craft and his approach towards it. I was not surprised to see that even at this age his approach is very sincere and dedicated. He was totally engrossed in it. When I came to Bombay, I wanted to meet him because my Guru,

Habeeb Tanveer

Sahab, gave me a letter where he recommended my name to Naseer Sahab to give me work in theatre. But at that time I couldn't meet him and I’d felt later, that it was okay even if I couldn't meet him. But now, after ages, I'm finally sharing screen and a film with him. I told him about the letter which I still have and cherish."
Helmed by director Kaushal Oza, the film stars Naseeruddin Shah and

Rasika Duggal

, and offers a powerful example in narrative story-telling, a period ambience within contemporary times.

Talking about his work experience with

Rasika

and Padmavati Rao he says, "Working with Rasika was really fantastic. She is a simple girl who comes with her baggage to portray and give justice to her character on set with her profession. It was also great to work with an actor like Padmavati ji. I am comfortable working with all of them because we are all from theatre. So it helps us to connect faster because we have a similar background."